!Lithuania Lithuania is a country, Region - Northern Europe, Capital - Vilnius, Population in 2003 - 3,444,000, Population density - 53 per sq km, Surface area - 65,200 sq km and Currency - litas. It was formerly a grand-duchy occupying portions of the valleys of the Dwina, Niemen, Dnieper, and Bug; for centuries connected with Poland; passed to Russia in 1814. The Lithuanians are a distinct race of the Indo-European stock, fair and handsome, with a language of their own, and a literature rich in folk-lore and songs. Of a strong religious temperament, they embraced Christianity late (13th century), and still retain many pagan superstitions; formerly serfs, they are now a humble peasantry engaged in agriculture, cattle-breeding, and bee-keeping.